Charges laid after firework launched at police drone

April 22, 2025

A Thunder Bay resident is facing charges after launching a firework at a police drone during an active missing person search.

On Sunday April 20, 2025, members of the Thunder Bay Police Service were using a drone to assist in locating a missing person.

 

During the operation, a nearby resident expressed concern about the drone to an officer on the ground and was informed that it was a police-operated drone being used as part of the investigation. Despite this information, the individual proceeded to set up, ignite, and launch a firework directly at the drone. The drone operator was able to take evasive action, successfully avoiding damage and preventing a potentially dangerous crash over a residential area.

 

The individual was identified and arrested.

 

A 54-year-old Thunder Bay man has been charged with Obstruct Police and Damage to Aircraft. The accused was released with an appearance notice and a future court date.

 

Drones are classified as aircraft under Canadian law and must be treated as such. Interfering with a police drone — particularly during an operational deployment — poses a serious risk to public safety and undermines critical law enforcement efforts.

 

While some residents may feel uncomfortable with drones operating near their homes, there are no legal restrictions preventing drones from flying over private property. When conducting exigent operational missions, such as missing person or suspect searches, drones may traverse residential areas. The Thunder Bay Police Service makes every reasonable effort to respect personal privacy, and in many cases, the drone is observing areas from a distance rather than directly beneath it. There is no circumstance in which attempting to interfere with a police drone is acceptable.

 

Drones are a vital tool in modern policing and are regularly deployed in a range of operations, with their use in missing person searches among the most critical.

October 3, 2025
The Thunder Bay Police Service is continuing to advise the public of scams that target local residents. Police regularly receive reports of residents who have been victimized by fraudulent residential rental scams. Residential rental scams happen when a person interested in renting a property believes they are communicating with the owner or landlord of an available property. The renter may be pressured into paying a deposit to view the property, or live elsewhere and be unable to view a property in person before agreeing to rent it. The renter pays a deposit, only to find that the property was never available for rent. The deposit – and the “landlord” - disappear. If the price seems too good to be true, it likely is. Red flags to watch for include the landlord asking for cash only, a cash security deposit, or money to be wired. Tips Don’t send money to anyone you have not met in person and/or for property you have not seen in person. Ask for identification from anyone showing you the property and write down the licence plate if they arrive in a vehicle. Search for owner information in the Land Titles office to confirm you are dealing with the owner. The Thunder Bay Police Service’s Economic Crime Unit urges residents to speak to family members and friends who may be vulnerable to being targeted by these types of scams. If you are concerned about potential scams and want to learn more, please visit https://www.thunderbaypolice.ca/safety/fraud-prevention or contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre ( http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/ ) To make a fraud/cyber crime online report to the Thunder Bay Police Service, please visit: https://www.services.tryrubicon.com/thunder-bay-police-service/online-reports/report/fraud-cybercrime
October 1, 2025
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